Features - Part 3

Build System

Ant support has been updated to version 1.5.4, the latest stable version of the open source build tool at the time of writing. I figure Ant does not need much introduction, but basically, Ant is a java-based build tool that utilizes XML. First released in July 2000, the latest incarnation – version 1.5.4 was released in mid August 2003. With the new version of JBuilder, Borland enabled TagInsight capabilities with Ant build files. New Ant build files can be added to an existing project by selecting the Ant wizard from the Object Gallery. You will be presented with options to add XML files to your project. This method is by far the easiest way to add Ant files, although JBuilder also provides the option to add Ant files manually.

JBuilder provides support for the latest stable version of Ant

Optimization

 Borland’s Optimizeit provides seamless integration with JBuilder X Enterprise. (Do take note that Optimizeit integration is only possible with the Enterprise version of the application) According to Borland, four Optimizeit tools can be integrated with the IDE. There is Profiler, which tracks memory and CPU usage issues. Code Coverage tracks precisely which code is executed while Thread Debugger tracks complex thread issues in the code. Finally, Progress Tracker compares graphs and test data generated by Profiler and Code Coverage. Version 6.0 of the application suite is included with JBuilder X Enterprise Edition.

Modeling

The industry-standard for visualizing, constructing and documenting software artifacts, Unified Modeling Language (UML) allows for simplification of the complex process of software design. UML support only exists for the Enterprise version of JBuilder X. JBuilder X Foundation and Developer do not have any UML features integrated into the IDE. A UML tab appears under source files that allow for UML modeling. Methods can be renamed and moved directly from UML diagrams. JBuilder makes it easy to change parameters, extract interfaces and introduce superclasses by right clicking on the UML models. I like the fact that UML models can be saved as .png files, although it leaves me wondering why other file formats are not supported.

Report Processing and Rendering

Report generation capabilities come in the form of Crystal Reports for JBuilder, a software component you must select during installation. As part of the purchase of JBuilder X Enterprise, you are entitled to download Crystal Reports for JBuilder designer, which basically integrates into the JBuilder designer environment. What follows next is the tedious process of registering Crystal Reports, creating a new profile on the Crystal Decisions website, downloading the designer, installing the designer and using the registration key found in the email you used to register. To make things worse, the designer itself is 156mb and according to Crystal Decisions, it is a customized version 9 Designer for temporary use with Borland JBuilder. Users will be emailed when version 10 becomes available. I haven’t even gotten onto the software usage part, but the tedious and long process only serves to undermine the value and time saving users of the software package are supposed to benefit from.

Collaboration

If you are working on a big project, you don’t work alone. You work with a team, but team development is risky business unless you know what you are doing. That is where version control comes in. It allows for multiple developers to work on the same file and version control systems also allows for logging and version tracking information. CVS support is supported on all editions of JBuilder. But only JBuilder Developer and Enterprise allows for integration with Borland StarTeam, Microsoft Visual SourceSafe and Rational ClearCase.

Version 5.4 of Borland’s StarTeam is supported by JBuilder X Enterprise. It is a powerful tool that allows for flexible and comprehensive version control. You can select it by selecting it in the Project CVS dialog box under the Team menu. After that, you can place projects into the version control system from Borland. A StarTeam tab will appear in the content pane, along with the View, Source and History tabs. A StarTeam Repository icon will also appear in the content pane of the IDE. With that, you get to add requirements. Clicking on any source file will also allow you to access the history tab, where you get to view the different versions and work with each version. The IDE also provides a Diff tag, which allows you to see the difference between two versions.

CVS support is included with all version of JBuilder

Server Integration 

The new version of the IDE includes support for some of the newest application servers on the market now. Application servers supported includes JBoss 3.x, Borland Enterprise Server, Tomcat 3.x and 4.x, WebLogic, WebSphere and iPlanet 6.x. Sun provides a plug-in for their Sun One Application Server that can integrate with the IDE. Configuration of application servers can be done through the Configure Servers menu option from the Tools main menu. Salesforce.com also provides a toolkit for utilization of its sforce-powered applications.